Bird's Eye (Gilia tricolor)

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0.257$0.25 - $5.60

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The Gilia genus contains mostly desert-loving plants, native to the area stretching from the western United States to South America. Spanish botanists Hipólito Ruiz and José Antonio Pavón found the first known Gilia species on their expedition to South America, later detailing it among other species in a 1794 publication of their research from Peru and Chile. They gave this family of flowers the name Gilia in honor of Filippo Luigi Gilii (1756-1821), an Italian naturalist whom they greatly admired for his research in South American native plant life at the Vatican Observatory.

Produces:finely divided foliage mostly at the base, and sweet scented 1/2” pale purple-edged white flowers with a dark ring around the yellow center.

USDA Grow Zone: 3a-10b

Starting Bird's Eye seeds Indoors for Spring

To start Bird's Eye seeds indoors, mix the seed with moist sand and store it in the refrigerator for 30 days prior to sowing seeds in 2" Soil Blocks or individual peat pots 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Keep the soil lightly moist and at a temperature of 70 degrees F until germination, which usually occurs within two weeks.

TRANSPLANTING YOUR BIRD'S EYE SEEDLINGS OUTDOORS FOR SPRING

​When the weather has warmed and your Bird's Eye seedlings are well established, transplant them outdoors. Bird's Eye adapts well to areas with rocky, clay, or sandy soil.

STARTING YOUR BIRD'S EYE SEEDS OUTDOORS FOR SPRING

For spring planting, mix the seed with moist sand and store it in the refrigerator for 30 days before direct sowing the seeds outdoors 15-18" apart.

​STARTING YOUR BIRD'S EYE SEEDS OUTDOORS IN FALL

Direct sow your Bird's Eye seeds in late fall, pressing them into the surface of the soil 15-18" apart.

Keep the soil moist as the seedlings develop, which will happen rather slowly at first. Mature plants tolerate drought well, preferring hot and dry conditions; do not overwater, since this can cause disease. This plant will self-sow and is extremely attractive to butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees.

For fresh flowers, cut long stems of flowers that have just opened and place them in water immediately; strip the leaves that will fall below the water.

After blooming, the flowers will become dry capsules that open to reveal several brown seeds; cut the ripened heads or simply shake the entire plant over a container to remove the seeds. Store the cleaned seed in a cool, dry place.

Companion planting is an excellent practice for any skill level of gardener. By using the natural substances contained within a plant’s roots your garden can both repel unwanted insects and attract those with useful traits. Companion planting can also be used to group flowers that prefer similar conditions.

Using companion plants as a border, backdrop, or interplanting in your garden beds will allow you to harness the ecosystem to its full potential. It is best to use plants native to your area so that the insects you seek to attract will know what to look for!

Suggested varieties

Clarkia: Deerhorn (Clarkia pulchella)

$0.25 - $5.60

This plant’s genus name, “Clarkia,” was given in recognition of Captain William Clark of the historic Lewis & Clark Expedition. Deerhorn Clarkia can be found in the records of this expedition, first discovered by Clark on May 29th, 1809 and very extensively described in Lewis’ journal of the following day. Lewis entrusted his collection of flower species to botanist Frederick Traugott Pursh, who officially classified Clarkia pulchella in 1814 as the first member of the Clarkia genus. Its common name of “Deerhorn” is derived from the resemblance of the delicately lobed petals to antlers.

Chinese Houses (Collinsia heterophylla)

$0.25 - $5.60

This stunning flower grows wild throughout much of western North America, most often springing up in open woodland areas or pine forests. The genus name, Collinsia, honors Philadelphia botanist Zaccheus Collins (1764-1831). This species was first classified in 1835 as Collinsia bicolor by Englishman George Bentham, one of the 19th century’s foremost botanical experts. Chinese Houses supply nectar for many butterflies, as well as being a larval host for the Checkerspot butterfly.

Lupine: Arroyo (Lupinus succulentus)

$0.50 - $5.60

This wildflower can be found growing throughout the American southwest; it is especially widespread in California, its native state. The name Lupine comes from the Latin “lupus,” meaning wolf. This refers to the folk belief that this plant took nutrients from the soil. Ironically, this plant actually improves the soil because of its nitrogen fixing abilities.

Lupine: Russell (Lupinus polyphyllus)

$0.50 - $5.60

George Russell, a self-taught horticulturalist from Great Britain, produced this lovely hybrid in the early 1920’s after nearly two decades of cross-breeding and experimentation. On being honored by the Royal Horticultural Society for his achievement, Mr. Russell stated that all the really crucial work had been done by the humble little bees in his garden. The name Lupine comes from the Latin “lupus,” meaning wolf. This refers to the folk belief that this plant took nutrients from the soil. Ironically, this plant actually improves the soil because of its nitrogen fixing abilities.

Lupine: Sky (Lupinus nanus)

$0.50 - $5.60

This wildflower was first found near the Columbia River and described in 1828 by Scotsman David Douglas, the first botanist to methodically find and classify over 250 plants in the northwestern region of the United States.The name Lupine comes from the Latin “lupus,” meaning wolf. This refers to the folk belief that this plant took nutrients from the soil. Ironically, this plant actually improves the soil because of its nitrogen fixing abilities.

Penstemon: Palmer's (Penstemon palmeri)

$0.25 - $5.60

This Beardtongue was named after the British botanist Edward Palmer, and is found native to desert mountains from easter Mojave to Utah and in New Mexico. Growing in washes, roadsides, canyon floors, and other similar areas, this plant is a tough, drought and heat resistant species. This wildflower is most notable for it's tall spikes of showy light pink blooms. Favored by bumblebees who like to squeeze themselves into the bulbous throats of the flowers!

Penstemon: Rocky Mountain (Penstemon strictus)

$0.25 - $5.60

Hardy, drought tolerant, and stunningly beautiful, what more could you want? Rich indigo blooms tower high on this Beardtongue, and are loved by hummingbirds and bees. Rocky Mountain Penstemon is one of the easiest Beardtongues to grow, and has a long blooming period of about a month in the Spring. A real show stopper!

Poppy, California: Carmine King (Eschscholzia californica)

$0.25 - $5.60

These poppies have a habit of opening and closing with the sun, appropriate for their native Golden State. The first member of the California poppy genus was identified in 1816 by German botanist Adelbert von Chamisso on an exploratory voyage to California and the Pacific Northwest. Chamisso named this genus “Eschscholzia” after a fellow botanist, Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz, who accompanied him on the journey. Nearly a dozen species of poppy grow wild in the western United States.

Poppy, California: Dwarf (Eschscholzia caespitosa)

$0.25 - $5.60

These poppies have a habit of opening and closing with the sun, appropriate for their native Golden State. The first member of the California poppy genus was identified in 1816 by German botanist Adelbert von Chamisso on an exploratory voyage to California and the Pacific Northwest. Chamisso named this genus “Eschscholzia” after a fellow botanist, Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz, who accompanied him on the journey. Nearly a dozen species of poppy grow wild in the western United States. This dwarf species can easily be mistaken for the state flower of California, though it has a small disc at the base of each blossom where the state flower remains smooth.

Poppy, California: Golden West (Eschscholzia californica)

$0.25 - $5.60

These poppies have a habit of opening and closing with the sun, appropriate for their native Golden State. The first member of the California poppy genus was identified in 1816 by German botanist Adelbert von Chamisso on an exploratory voyage to California and the Pacific Northwest. Chamisso named this genus “Eschscholzia” after a fellow botanist, Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz, who accompanied him on the journey. Nearly a dozen species of poppy grow wild in the western United States.

Poppy, California: Ivory Castle (Eschscholzia californica)

$0.25 - $5.60

These poppies have a habit of opening and closing with the sun, appropriate for their native Golden State. The first member of the California poppy genus was identified in 1816 by German botanist Adelbert von Chamisso on an exploratory voyage to California and the Pacific Northwest. Chamisso named this genus “Eschscholzia” after a fellow botanist, Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz, who accompanied him on the journey. Nearly a dozen species of poppy grow wild in the western United States.